By Fanuel Chinowaita
Mutare, Zimbabwe — Mutare City Council has resolved to introduce performance contracts for councillors as part of measures to improve service delivery, following a Special Council meeting held yesterday at the council chambers.
Addressing councillors, Mayor Simon Chabuka said the special sitting marked the first full council meeting for 2026 and signalled a renewed focus on accountability and results-based governance.
“This is the first full Council for 2026. I hope it will be a good year for the people of Mutare,”
Chabuka said, acknowledging that the city ended 2025 grappling with serious service delivery challenges, particularly refuse collection and the poor state of roads.
The Mayor said councillors will now be required to sign performance contracts, which will be validated by his office and the Ministry of Local Government, a move aimed at aligning council operations with national performance management systems.
“As council, we are moving towards performance-based leadership. Councillors will sign performance contracts that will be validated by the Mayor and the ministry,” he said.
Chabuka pledged that refuse collection challenges would ease this year, noting that council trucks are back on the road. On road rehabilitation, he said tenders had already been awarded, although progress would depend on the release of funds from central government.
“On the issue of roads, tenders were awarded and we hope and pray that government will release the funds,” he said.
The Mayor also highlighted ward retention funds as key to addressing local infrastructure needs, including drainage works and grass cutting for public safety.
He urged residents to actively participate in ward meetings called by councillors and council officials, saying community engagement would be strengthened.
“Our target is to have feedback meetings at the end of every month,” Chabuka said.
During the meeting, the Environment Committee was directed to present a comprehensive report on environmental management, aligned with government policies, as part of council’s broader performance monitoring framework.
Town Clerk Mr Chafesuka also briefed council on developments at Chisamba Ground, confirming that a memorandum of understanding has been signed between Mutare City Council and Mutare Polytechnic for the installation of bucket seats.
“Very soon work will start,” Chafesuka said, assuring councillors that the bucket seats will be secure. He added that the area has been fenced and municipal police are already deployed to safeguard the facility.
The introduction of performance contracts is expected to place councillors under increased scrutiny as residents demand measurable improvements in service delivery across the city.